Joe from Cocamoe,,,,friday fun!

My dad has several names for Hudson, one of which is Jo from Cocamoe to which Hudson will reply ........"I not jo from cocamoe, I Hudson Xiao Teague from China".....this really is how he looked yesterday after a hard day of playing outside!!!



but all fun and smiles faded when a bath was mentioned.........

Memorial Day Weekend, Day 1 & 2

My mom has wanted to take a trip up along the north shore for quite awhile so we decided this was the weekend. We spent Friday evening with some friends we don't see near enough and today took in a logging camp and the Judy Garland museum. The weather is beautiful which is always iffy this time of the year which has made the weekend even better!

I spent many a camping trip up in this area of MN while I was growing up and took some canoe trips in the boundary waters so it is fun to see it all again and share it with Mark and the kids. I have forgotten how beautiful northern MN is and look forward to the rest of our trip....tomorrow, down in the mines and wolves........

The mighty Mississippi

The Logging Camp, Grand Rapids

Judy Garland Museum

....sweet times with old friends....

Jay is my dearest friend from college and it was so fun to see he and his beautiful family Friday evening. He was a groomsman and also sang in our wedding. They made us a great dinner at their beautiful new home in Brainerd and their kids were hits with our kids, especially Zach with Hudson. It was so fun to spend time with them.

Thanks Jay, Steph, Zach and Lexie......we love you guys!!!!

Meeting Ruby and Diana!

One of the first blogs I ever began following was that of Diana as she waited for her referral for her daughter. Our MN/TX connection first drew me to her blog but as I watched her get her referral for Ruby, travel to China and begin her life with two precious gems our friendship grew. Hudson and I were blessed to be able to spend some time with her and Ruby yesterday.

She is even more of a delight in person and of course Ruby was a fantastic hostess to Hudson. Diana is one of those special frienships I have made in the blog world and I know she has been faithful to pray for us as we waited for Hudson and brought him home. Her love for the Lord and her family has been inspring and encouraging and it was great to spend time with another mom here up north!

Thanks again Diana and Ruby.....we are bummed we missed out on the Pearl and Jeff!

Country days......

We had been waiting for the weather to warm up here but decided to go ahead with a hotdog roast outside even though it was cool. This was Mother's Day weekend when Mark and all four kids were around although Jordan took off before pictures!!

This week it is beautiful and we are enjoying being outside helping my parents with yard work. Hudson is loving the country life and just picked a wood tick off me!!!!

...smores....

I just want a little bite
.....uh, bit bigger than I asked for.....

...think I'll just stick with the chocolate!

A little chilly and some rain but fun all the same

Funny Friday

Any of you who know Hudson personally know what an incredible character he is. He has the most playful personality, EVERYTHING is a game, he has an incredible sense of humor, he is a prankster and we were told by Mrs. Yang, the director at his orphanage he was given the title of "the naughtiest boy at the orphange" . He is certianly not naughty but we think that translation means exactly what we know him as.......totally hysterical and entertaining. This leads me to a new title for Friday's. I have four funny stories that have happened in just the last week so I thought I would share them here each Friday starting today. One, to record them so I don't forget them and two to hopefully bring a smile to your face.

So, for this week........

Mark flew in last Thursday and Monday he, Hudson and I were doing errands. Mark had just tried to buy him a new baseball hat.......(but Hudson wanted "lello" and they didn't have any yellow) and then he had bought him a cookie. Hudson spotted some blocks from Cars (his favorite movie) and since Mark was in another aisle Hudson said "mama, Hudson want those". I said "no, Hudson, you don't need those" so with that charming grin and twinkle in his eye he said "show daddy, he buy them!"........

(He didn't buy him the blocks but it is amazing how easy it is to spoil a child when you only have one that age........I use this as an arguement for adoption #2!!!!!......and not a great picture, taken with my phone but shows how Hudson has Mark wrapped around his finger)

Always wanting to be like the big kids...

Kailee doing this...led Hudson to do the following.....

Can I do it?
I'm getting it.....

I did it!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday